The Uruguayan Olympic Committee (Spanish: Comité Olímpico Uruguayo, COU) sent the nation's largest delegation to the Games since 1968.

Notable Uruguayan athletes included football stars Sebastián Coates and team captain Luis Suárez, who both had recently played for Liverpool F.C., siblings Alejandro and Andrea Foglia in men's and women's one-person dinghy sailing, and track hurdler Andrés Silva.

Rower Rodolfo Collazo, who competed at his third Olympics along with Silva and the older Foglia, was the nation's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

Uruguay had qualified one boat in the men's lightweight double sculls through the Latin America Continental Qualification Regatta.

Uruguay had qualified one swimmer in the men's 100 m freestyle through the Olympic selection time, and the other in the women's 100 m backstroke as a wildcard:[10][11]